On 16 July 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) advised that under the framework of its and the European Union (EU) Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme in partnership with the European Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) support to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the COMESA Business Council (CBC), had held a training of trainers workshop on RoO for private sector representatives from Eastern and Southern Africa. The workshop was held at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, from 01 to 04 July 2025, with the objective of assisting the private sector in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential Rules of Origin (RoO).
The workshop was conducted as part of a comprehensive partnership with private sector stakeholders in Africa and marks the first complete competency development cycle for the private sector at a regional level. The support provided under the RoO Africa Programme enables the deployment of wide-ranging capacity-building activities to enhance private sector knowledge of RoO and contribute to the seamless utilisation and implementation of the AfCFTA and other relevant Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
In his opening remarks, the CBC CEO emphasised that the joint collaboration with the Programme and the EU-TAF was designed to create a multiplier effect, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of knowledge on RoO at a regional level within the private sector, which will be the actual users of the AfCFTA. The cycle of workshops has demystified the RoO, which is an essential tool in the industrialisation of the region and the continent.
The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to refine their knowledge of RoO while also enhancing their skills in designing and delivering practical training sessions. It offered the participants a unique opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of origin-related topics through group and individual presentations, incorporating facilitation and communication skills acquired from WCO experts.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the WCO experts offered constructive feedback to participants, highlighting areas for improvement and praising their success in applying newly acquired skills to develop training materials and deliver a training session.
The EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme will continue its work with all African stakeholders to equip them with the necessary knowledge for the efficient implementation and application of RoO.